Peachs Showtime: Exclusive Reveal Inside!

Princess Peach: Showtime! is a 2024 action-adventure game developed by Good-Feel and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch. Released on March 22, 2024, it marks Princess Peach's first starring role since Super Princess Peach in 2005. The game received mixed reviews, with praise for its creativity and visuals but criticism for its simplicity and technical issues. It sold 1.22 million copies by May 2024.

Story and Setting

The game is set in the Sparkle Theater, where Princess Peach, accompanied by two Toads, attends a play. The theater is taken over by the villainous sorceress Grape and her minions, the Sour Bunch, who trap visitors and disrupt the performances. Peach teams up with Stella, the theater's guardian, to rescue the Sparklas (the stars of each play) and restore the theater. Stella provides Peach with a magical ribbon that grants her various abilities and transformations.

Peach assumes different roles throughout the game—such as Swordfighter Peach, Kung Fu Peach, and Figure Skater Peach—each offering unique gameplay mechanics suited to specific levels. The adventure culminates in battles against Grape, where Peach transforms into Radiant Peach and later Super Radiant Peach to save the theater.

Gameplay

The game blends 2D and 3D platforming with stage-play themes. Players navigate ten types of plays across three levels each, using costumes to unlock new abilities. Levels feature diverse gameplay styles, including beat 'em up sections, quick-time events, and auto-runner challenges. Coins collected during gameplay can be used to purchase outfits.

Reception

Critics praised the game's art style, charming story, and varied gameplay but noted its low difficulty and occasional performance issues. Despite these critiques, many appreciated its originality and focus on Princess Peach as a protagonist.

Princess Peach: Showtime! offers a refreshing take on Mario spin-offs by placing Peach in a leading role with a unique theatrical setting. It’s been compared to Luigi’s Mansion in giving a secondary character their own identity within the Mario universe.